(6) The Christian's
Sword

"… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." And why is the Word of God compared to a "sword?" For this inquiry let this suffice.

The sword being of both general and consistent use among soldiers, and also being that weapon with which they not only defend themselves, but do the greatest execution upon their enemies, it most fitly sets for the necessity and excellent use of the Word of God, by which the Christian both defends himself, and offends, yea cuts down before him all his enemies. And further, why is this sword attributed to "the Spirit?"

First: He is the author of it. A weapon it is which He alone formed and fashioned by His hand; it came not out of any creature's forge, but "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2nd Peter 1 verse 21)

Second: The Spirit is the only true Interpreter of the Word. Hence that known passage of Bernard: The scriptures must be read, and can be understood, by that Spirit alone by whom they were made. He that made the lock can alone help us to a key that will fit its wards and open its fence. "No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation." (2nd Peter chapter 1 verse 20) And why not? It follows – because it came not from any private spirit at first. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man," etc. (2nd Peter 1 verse 21) and who knows the mind of the Spirit so well as Himself?

Third: It is only the Spirit of God that can give the Word its Efficacy And Power in the Soul. It is His office to seal the soul with the impress of things believed. Except He lays His weight on the truths we read and hear, and as it were cut their very image in our minds and hearts, they leave no more impression than a seal sat upon a rock or a stone would do. It was not the disciples' rowing, but Christ's coming that could still the storm or bring them safely to shore. And not all our study can fix the mind or pacify the heart in the belief of the Word, till the Spirit of God comes. "Do you now believe?" saith Christ to His disciples. How oft, alas! Had the same things sounded in their ears, and knocked at their doors for entertainment, but never could be received, till now that the Spirit put in His finger to lift up the latch.

The words thus opened present us with this important doctrinal conclusion - "Take – the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."